Abstract: A thermoelectric device including a panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements including compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device including a panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements including compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device including a panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements including compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements comprising compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material is combined with other layers for leakage current interception, bodily fluid absorption, and pillars that preserve pressure re-distribution. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling and manufactured using pre-existing automated equipment.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements comprising compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements comprising compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material is combined with other layers for leakage current interception, bodily fluid absorption, and pillars that preserve pressure re-distribution. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling and manufactured using pre-existing automated equipment.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements formed from compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: A contact-free, optical measurement system determines the precision with which an article responds to a change in energy. An interferometer is used to measure the surface distortions that are caused by different amounts of energy being added to a system. In this manner, any surface distortions, or perturbations of the surface, will be detected by the interferometer measurement of the reflected light from the substrate. The degree of surface distortions of the substrate may then be readily ascertained for each level of energy input. The energy input to the system is thus optimized to result in the lowest level of distortion.

Abstract: A device and method wherein a thermo electric generator device is disposed between stacks of a multiple level device, or is provided on or under a die of a package and is conductively connected to the package. The thermo electric generator device is configured to generate a voltage by converting heat into electric power. The voltage which is generated by the thermo electric generator can be recycled back into the die itself, or to a higher-level unit in the system, even to a cooling fan.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements comprising compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material is combined with other layers for leakage current interception, bodily fluid absorption, and pillars that preserve pressure re-distribution. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling and manufactured using pre-existing automated equipment.

Abstract: A multi-port, multi access system that allows for any automotive impact to register exact time and quadrant of impact in a way that will allow it to be cross referenced to the driver's (of one or more vehicles) mobile cellular telephone usage at the time impact occurred, as an aid in determining and assigning accident responsibility.

Abstract: A device and method wherein a thermo electric generator device is disposed between stacks of a multiple level device, or is provided on or under a die of a package and is conductively connected to the package. The thermo electric generator device is configured to generate a voltage by converting heat into electric power. The voltage which is generated by the thermo electric generator can be recycled back into the die itself, or to a higher-level unit in the system, even to a cooling fan.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements comprising compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: Inexpensive, lightweight, flexible heating and cooling panels with highly distributed thermoelectric elements are provided. A thermoelectric “string” is described that may be woven or assembled into a variety of insulating panels such as seat cushions, mattresses, pillows, blankets, ceiling tiles, office partitions, under-desk panels, electronic enclosures, building walls, refrigerator walls, and heat conversion panels. The string contains spaced thermoelectric elements which are thermally and electrically connected to lengths of braided, meshed, stranded, foamed, or otherwise expandable and compressible conductor. The elements and a portion of compacted conductor are mounted within the insulating panel. On the outsides of the panel, the conductor is expanded to provide a very large surface area of contact with air or other medium for heat absorption on the cold side and for heat dissipation on the hot side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining thickness of films or layers during chemical-mechanical planarization/polishing (CMP) of a semiconductor substrate or wafer in situ. The method may be used to determine end-point during CMP especially of oxide films deposited on the substrate or wafer. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) capturing images of the surface of the substrate using high speed imaging; b) performing pattern recognition on the captured images; c) selecting one of the captured images based on the pattern recognition; and d) converting the selected image into a thickness measurement. In one form, the high speed imaging comprises a high speed camera, while in another form, the high speed imaging comprises a conventional camera and a laser pulse or flash tube. In yet another embodiment, reflective laser interference patterns of the substrate are captured and analyzed for interference pattern changes that can signal a practical end-point.

Abstract: A polishing pad having an upper layer with a first visual characteristic. The upper layer is adapted to erode against a pad conditioner at a uniform rate during a pad conditioning process. At least one lower layer with at least a second visual characteristic is disposed beneath the upper layer. The first visual characteristic is visually distinguishable from the second visual characteristic. The at least one lower layer is adapted to polish a substrate, where the visual distinguishability between the upper layer and the at least one lower layer provides a visual indication of whether the pad conditioning process has been accomplished in a uniform manner.

Abstract: An electroplating tool for providing a metal or metal film on a semiconductor wafer during processing thereof has a wafer chucking mechanism with a conductor or conductors associated therewith. The conductor(s) are electrically connected to a controller that applies a voltage or current applied thereto for altering the position of and/or varying the intensity of electromagnetic field lines originating from a source anode of the electroplating tool. The electromagnetic field lines originating from the source anode direct the deposition of metal from the electroplating solution to the semiconductor wafer. The conductor(s) of the wafer chucking mechanism improve and/or modulate the electromagnetic field lines of the electroplating process. This provides greater control of metal deposition during the electroplating process such that uniformity of the metal (e.g. copper) is provided across the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for overcoming optical errors occurring from reticle and other hardware usage in a semiconductor fabrication apparatus. The systems and methods minimize optical errors, such as those resulting from gravitational sag on a reticle or mask, for a pattern being projected onto a wafer. The reduced errors allow larger reticles and masks to be used—while maintaining optical accuracy; and also improve optical budget management.

Abstract: A device for measuring resistances associated with electrical contacts of a contact ring used in a semiconductor wafer electroplating process. The device includes a substrate and a conductive pattern on the substrate. The conductive pattern is electrically contactable with the electrical contacts of the contact ring. Resistance measurement circuitry is connected to the conductive pattern. The resistance measurement circuitry is configured to send test signals to the conductive pattern, receive signals from the conductive pattern, and measure the resistances associated with the electrical contacts of the contact ring. A method of using such a device to measure resistances associated with electrical contacts of a contact ring used in a semiconductor wafer electroplating process is also provided.

Abstract: A positioner to control the position of a finger or thumb of the hand, comprising an elongated, flexible holder configured to extend along the upper side of the user's finger or thumb; a retainer carried by the holder to retain the tip of the user's finger or thumb, the holder adapted to be anchored, remotely from the retainer, endwise thereof; the holder configured to flex, thereby allowing bending of the finger or thumb, producing tensioning of the holder that resists such bending.